Help us make a difference!

Padraig Harrington honoured for his work as Global Ambassador

juillet 10, 2012

Three-time Major Champion, Padraig Harrington receives the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Commemorative Coin in recognition of his dedication to Special Olympics athletes and their families.

Special Olympics athlete David Mitchell presents Padraig with a the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Commemorative Coin at the Castle Stuart Golf Links, Inverness.

Recognition for his work

Inverness, Scotland: Three-time Major Champion, Padraig Harrington has today been honoured by Special Olympics – the world’s largest sports organisation for people with intellectual disabilities - at the Castle Stuart Golf Links, Inverness ahead of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, in appreciation of his tireless commitment to Special Olympics athletes and their families.

Special Olympics Great Britain athlete David Mitchell officially presented Padraig with the Eunice Kennedy Shriver 1995 Commemorative Special Olympics Silver Coin on behalf of the global Special Olympics family in recognition of his dedication to the movement. Eunice Kennedy Shriver, sister of President John F. Kennedy and Founder of Special Olympics, who was born on this day, July 10th 1921, is the only woman to have her portrait appear, during her lifetime, on a US coin.

Padraig holding a golf clinic with Special Olympics athletes at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Golf Clinics for Athletes

Since becoming a Special Olympics Global Ambassador in May 2010, Padraig
has generously donated his time and expertise to the Special Olympics
Movement across the world by conducting golf clinics for athletes and
coaches, most recently at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.

Padraig also proudly ‘Wears the Laces’ for Special Olympics on the
golfing circuit. The red shoe laces have recently captured the attention
of golf commentators and fans, helping to raise awareness for Special
Olympics and promote a message of respect, inclusion and acceptance for
all people with intellectual disabilities. Padraig will again ‘Wear the
Laces’ this week during the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open.

David and Padraig Wearing the Laces!

Proud to be involved

Padraig Harrington states: “The work that I do for the athletes of Special Olympics is something I am proud of and I will continue to try to help and inspire them to be the best athletes they can be. I am just happy to be able to play a part in the organisation which changes lives every day for people with intellectual disabilities and I am very pleased to have received the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Commemorative Coin today. She made a significant difference to the lives of millions of people across the world.”

Mary Davis, Regional President Special Olympics Europe Eurasia: “Padraig is a remarkable Ambassador for Special Olympics and it is particularly poignant that he receives the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Commemorative Coin today, the date of her birthday. Through Padraig our athletes get the opportunity to meet one of their golfing heroes and learn from him the importance of staying focused and the values of hard work and practice. He inspires the athletes he meets to be the best that they can be and we thank Padraig for his unwavering support and generosity.”

David Mitchell enjoyed meeting his golfing hero!

Athlete David Mitchell

Biography of Special Olympics Great Britain athlete David Mitchell:

30 year old David is passionate about golf and Padraig Harrington is one
of his all-time golfing heroes. David won Gold in his division at the
2005 Special Olympics Great Britain National Summer Games in Glasgow. In 2010 he took home a Silver medal after competing in Denmark at the
Special Olympics Idraets Festival involving 600 athletes. He has also
played alongside Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel at a golfing
charity event! David has represented Scotland in the Triple Crown
Tournament involving England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. When he’s
not on the golf course David works at 'Williamson's Foodservice' in
Inverness where his brother Andrew is a Supervisor. Visit Special
Olympics Great Britain www.specialolympicsgb.org.uk

About Special Olympics:

Special Olympics is an international
organization that changes lives by encouraging and empowering people
with intellectual disabilities, promoting acceptance for all, and
fostering communities of understanding and respect worldwide. Founded in
1968 by the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the Special Olympics Movement
has grown from a few hundred athletes to more than 4 million athletes in
over 170 countries in all regions of the world, providing year-round
sports training, athletic competition and other related programs.
Special Olympics takes place every day, changing the lives of people
with intellectual disabilities in places like China and from regions
like the Middle East to the community playgrounds and ball fields in
every small neighbourhood’s backyard. Special Olympics provide people
with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their
potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience
joy and friendship. Visit www.specialolympics.org

Wear the Laces Campaign:

To ‘Wear the Laces’ is simple:
purchase special red shoe laces with the Special Olympics logo
emblazoned on them. The aim of the ‘Wear the Laces’ campaign is to raise
funds and awareness for Special Olympics internationally. The symbolic
goal of the project is to encourage people to walk side by side, tied
together by a common thread of respect, acceptance and inclusion. When
you ‘Wear the Laces’ you are making it possible for the Special Olympics
Movement to transform more lives through the power of sport and you
declare that you are a fan of dignity and inclusion. The ‘Wear the
Laces’ campaign was launched in Europe in September 2010 with Laces now
being sold right across the globe. Visit www.wearthelaces.org

Special Olympics Blog

The Start of the Solution

Young people from around the globe with and without intellectual disabilities are coming together at the SOGenUin Summit as part of the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games with one goal - to change the world.